Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who has worked on environmental issues across the Americas and is credited with leading the fight to protect New York City's water supply, will speak at Fairfield University's Third Annual Students' Forum on Monday, April 19, at 8 p.m., in the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. The lecture is part of the University's signature Open VISIONS Forum Series.

His talk is entitled "Our Environmental Destiny," and is a highlight of events at Fairfield honoring the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. Student Zachary Gross, of the Student Environmental Association, noted, "The fact that Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. lives his life as a champion of the environment makes him an ideal person to speak at Fairfield and energize the campus community during Earth Week."

Senior Alexandra Roem, president of the Green Campus Initiative, which is a co-presenter of the event, said, "What Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. will bring to the table when he speaks at Fairfield is an acknowledgement that the little things one does on a local level can have an impact on the environment - both on national and global levels. Our leaders need to take notice of how individuals can effect the environment and also what they can do to forward the sustainability movement, because people can make all the difference."

Kennedy has earned a reputation as a resolute defender of the environment stemming from a litany of successful legal actions. He was named one of TIME magazine's "Heroes for the Planet" for his success in helping Riverkeeper lead the fight to restore the Hudson River. The group's achievement helped spawn more than 160 Waterkeeper organizations across the globe. He also was named one of Rolling Stone 's "100 Agents of Change."

Carrying on his family's tradition of service, Kennedy works for many worthwhile organizations. His roles include serving as senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council, chief prosecuting attorney for the Hudson Riverkeeper, and president of Waterkeeper Alliance. He is a partner in the clean tech work of Silicon Valley's VantagePoint Ventures and is the environmental advisor to Napo Pharmaceuticals.

Kennedy, a clinical professor and supervising attorney at Pace University School of Law's Environmental Litigation Clinic, has assisted several indigenous tribes in Latin America and Canada in successfully negotiating treaties protecting traditional homelands. The New York City watershed agreement - which he negotiated on behalf of environmentalists and New York City watershed consumers - is regarded as an international model in stakeholder consensus negotiations and sustainable development. He also helped lead the fight to turn back the anti-environmental legislation during the 104th Congress.

His books include the New York Times bestseller "Crimes Against Nature: How George W. Bush and His Corporate Pals Are Plundering the Country and Hijacking Our Democracy" (Harper Perennial, 2004).

Robert Kennedy's visit is presented by the Fairfield University First Year Experience, Student Affairs, the Student Environmental Association and the Green Campus Initiative, in collaboration with Open VISIONS Forum.

Tickets are $45 and are available online or at the Quick Center Box Office, (203) 254-4010. The toll free number is 877-ARTS-396.

Directions: Fairfield University is located off I-95, exit 22 at 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield, CT 06824.

Posted On: 03-30-2010 10:03 AM

Volume: 42 Number: 253